Power transmitting system



1942. s. c. WINGER ETAL POWER TRANSMITTING SYSTEM 4 SheeiS-Sheet 1 Filed June 4, 1938 I N V E NTOR S 57over C. W/nger Leslie Loehr BY AT T O R N EIY 1942- s. c. WINGERI ETAL 95.

POWER TRANSMITTING, SYSTEM Filed June 4, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS' Sfover- C wmger Feb. 10, 1942. s. c. WINGER ETAL POWER TRANSMITTING SYSTEM Filed June 4, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I NV E N T O R S fifover C l/Whger Les/i oehr ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES Arm OFFICE.

POWER TRANSMITTING SYSTEM Stover C. Winger and Leslie K. Loelug'Los Angeles, Calif., assignors to Guy H. Hall, Los Angeles,

Calif.

Application June 4,

9 Claims.

ing ,a clutching mechanism.

A typeof clutch adapted to perform the operation of connecting and disconnecting a source of power and a load, utilizes a helix. Ifa cylindrical clutching surface is placed Within the helix, a winding up of the helix causes a corresponding reduction in inside diameter thereof, and the cylindrical surface is gripped. Accordingly if one end of the helix be joined to an engine shaft, and the driven shaft is provided with a cylindrical surface placed within the helix,

clutching can be accomplished by winding up the free end of the helix. This winding up action,

however, automatically proceeds to extend to all of the turns, the winding taking placeby virtue of the frictional traction between the turns and the cylindrical surface. Eventually the winding process stops because of the great friction encountered, and the clutch is in full driving position.

It is one of the objects of this invention. to provide an improved clutch mechanism that operates on principles similar to the helical clutch just discussed.

In such clutches as heretofore used, the transfor of power can be accomplished only for a definite direction of rotation; for opposite rotation the clutch is ineffective. Also, when the driven member for some reason has imparted to it through some other agency, a speed that is in excess of that of the driving member (as for example, when a car is coasting downhill), then the clutch is again ineffective. It is another object of this invention to make it possible to maintain the Wrap-around type of clutch in effective clutching relation irrespective of the change in direction of rotation, or of a change of direction of power transfer.

The helical type of clutch has the advantage of being engageable gradually, so thatthe driven member is gradually brought to the same speed as the driving member. In this clutching period, there is a frictional slip, which generates some heat. It is another object of this invention to 1938, Serial No. 211,864

make it possible readily to radiateor dissipate this generated heat. This is accomplished by utilizing. a clutching cylindrical surface into which the other element of the clutch expands, and the external surface of the cylindrical clutching member serves effectively as a heat radiating surface.

As the wrapping around action takes place, it

' canbe demonstrated that the grip-ping force increases at a rate out of allproportion to the angular extent of the turns .in contact withthe cylindrical clutching surface. The last turns thus are urged into contact with the cylindrical surface by a force corresponding to theintegration of the frictional forces acting on the previous turns.

In order that the gripping pressures per. unit of area remain substantially uniformthroughout the entire length of the coils, the width of the turns maybe gradually increased as the turns advance from the free end. It is accordingly another object of this invention to make it possible by this means to reduce materiallyany inequality in the pressures exerted between the coils and the cylindrical surface.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from' a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. v Forithis purpose there are shown a few forms in, the drawings accompanying and forming ,partOf the present specification. These forms will' nowbe described in detail, illustrating thegeneral principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this.detaileddescription is not to be. taken in a limiting sense, since the scope .of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view, mainly inlongitudinalsection, or one embodiment of the-invention;

Fig. 2'is a sectional view taken along. plane 2-2 of Fig. 1; V

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along plane 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is aviewsimilar to Fig. 1 of a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectionalview taken along plane 55 of Fig. 4; I -Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. l-of still another form of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along plane 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along plane 8--B of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 isa pictorial .view showing the manner in which the series of clutching bands may be arranged;

Fig. is a view similar to Fig. 6, of a still further modification;

Figs. 11 and 12 are sectional views, taken respectively along planes and |2-|2 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 13 is a pictorial view of a clutching band used in the form shown in Fig. 10.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the two shafts and 2, which are intended to be coupled by the clutching mechanism, are shown as coaxially arranged. It may be asumed, although this is not essential, that shaft I is the driving shaft and that shaft 2 is the driven shaft.

As a convenient means for supporting one end of shaft 2, it is shown as provided with an extension 3 journaled within the journal bearing 4, disposed in an appropriate aperture in the end of shaft I.

The clutching members are so arranged that one member surrounds the other, and by radial movement of one of them toward the other, the two members may be brought into clutching engagement. Thus for example, shaft carries a cup-like member 5 providing an interior cylindrical clutching surface 6. Adapted to cooperate with this clutching surface is a series of expansible split bands I, 8, 9 and I0. These bands are arranged in such manner as to form virtually a continuous series of convolutions, similar to a .helix. They are intended to be expanded radial- 1y so as to contact the cylindrical surface 6 and thereby to cause a driving force to be exerted upon the shaft 2, since one end of the series of bands is operatively connected to the shaft. This expansion is caused to take place by operation of control mechanism associated with shaft 2.

Shaft 2 carries the enlarged portion 22 upon which the bands 1, 8, 9 and ID are disposed. The left hand end of the enlarged portion 22 carries an integral flange keyed to the end band H), as by a dovetail key l2. This key extends radially into the split or gap formed in the end band N]. This split or gap is shown in the present instance as defined by the sloping surfaces l3 and M. The next band 9 is joined to the band ID by the aid of an intermediate keying ring I5,

also disposed-0n an enlarged portion 22. This keying ring has a pair of oppositely directed keys l6 and II, respectively engaging in the gap in bands [0 and 9. Similarly, keying ring l8 serves to join the bands 9 and 8; and keying ring l9 serves to join the bands 8 and 1. The end band is keyed as by key to a control ring 2| that is free to rotate on the enlarged portion 22 of the shaft 2.

The series of rings and bands may be restrained against axial displacement, between the flange and. a flange 23 fastened to the right hand surface of the enlarged portion 22 on the shaft 2.

The series of expanding bands I, 8, 9 and It), by virtue of the connecting rings |5, I8 and I9, form a helical-like structure corresponding in some respects to the helical clutch devices formed by the aid of a helically convoluted spring wire. One end of the structure is anchored to shaft 2 by key II. The bands 1, 8, 9 and II] are preferably made of resilient material so that they may be readily expanded into contact with surface 6. An important result of this arrangement is that rotation of control ring 2| in either direction relative to shaft 2, will cause the helical-like structure formed by bands 1, 8, 9, ID and rings I5, |8, |9 to expand. This effect is due to the provision of the key 20 inserted in the split in the end band I.

When band 1 is thus expanded, to engage surface 6, a frictional drag on this band by surface 6 exerts a corresponding expanding force in succession on the bands 8, 9 and I0 through the intervening keying rings.

This frictional drag, imposed by rotation of the member 5, transmits a force through 'band I, thence via key and ring I9, to the next band 8. When so expanded, the split or gap in the bands widens; but this is not indicated because in the drawings the bands are intended to be shown in the normal unexpanded condition.

Shortly after band I is thus expanded into contact with surface 6, the bands 8, 9 and II] are successively placed in clutching contact with this surface. The frictional forces imposed by the clutching contact on the bands are such as to cause all of the bands to remain expanded and in driving relation with all of the bands, so long as the end band 7 is maintained in expanded condition. Accordingly, since the end band H1 is keyed to the shaft structure 2, this shaft is driven through the clutching mechanism.

The width of the bands from right to left increases, the band It being the widest and the band the narrowest. This is of importance, for the reason that the cumulated or integrated frictional forces available on the band H], which is joined to the shaft 2, become quite great, and by widening this ring, the pressure per unit of area is maintained at a suitable value.

Furthermore, the keys l2, [8, H, 20 and 90, as well as the key on ring l8, have sloping sides to form dovetails. The dovetailing effect assists in insuring against appreciable cooking of the bands as they are expanded.

The manner in which the control ring 2| may be rotated so as to initiate the clutching action, may be made clear by the aid of Figs. 1 and 3. For this purpose the control ring 2| is provided with a pair of pins 26, 2?. Flange 23 is cut away r as indicated at 9|, to permit the passage of these pins. These pins are intended to be disposed in arcuate slots 28 and 29 formed in a pilot clutch disc 30. This pilot clutch disc may be provided with a clutch facing 3| adapted to cooperate with a corresponding clutch face 32 on the cylindrical cup 5. The control clutch disc 30 is adapted to be moved into or out of engagement with the clutch face 32 as by the aid of a grooved clutch collar 33. The shaft 2 is freely rotatable relative to the collar 33.

Now if it be assumed that the pilot clutch disc 30 be moved toward the left against the moving clutch face 32, the clutch disc 30 will be rotated; and after a while the pins 26 and 21 will come in contact with the ends of the slots 28 and 29 and the control ring 2| will be rotated to expand band 1. It is also clear that the direction of rotation is immaterial, the same action taking place whether the key 20 is moved upwardly or downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 1. The expansion of the helical-like element nevertheless occurs. Since disc 30 is kept in driving contact with face 32, even after shaft 2 comes up to the same speed as shaft any incipient tendency to permit control ring 2| to move band 7 out of clutching contact would be immediately overcome by the drag on disc 32 just as soon as shaft 2 begins to slow down.

The operation of the pilot clutch collar 33 may be accomplished in any desired manner. It

manages might be manualstar-automatitgin response t'o anyof a numberrofi conditions of operatiom- Due to the fact 'that theclut'chliband's -lj" 8; v9 and I expand into the cup '5', theexter-ior sur face of cup' can readily dissipate whatever' heat is generated by frictiom between: the clutching surfaces. At any rate; this' fri'ction"occurs-only during the operation of causing all of thebands to engage or disengage:

It has been assumed'so far that shaft-2 is tlie driven shaft. Thevsame action; however; takes place even when shaft I "is the. driven-:shaft; Under. such circumstances; engagement-of disc (whichis now the driving disc); with-' thel-sta'e tionaryflange' 32, causes disc: 30': to-be friction-:- ally restrained. There is: thusparelative angular motion between shaft" 2 an'di' disc'230, sufficient: to causeioperation of. control ring 2 land expansion of band I.

In order to disengage the drive-ztherpi-lottclutch disc: 30:15 moved to the right. to the-positionjndicated. Whenoccurs; there is no longenany. force {tending to: keep the: endliband :1. in; contact with the surfacefiy The bandsi'l, 8,;9:a-nd Ill-then in. succession. return to the retracted :position; of Fig." 1', and the: clutch .is" 'disconnected.*

In:the form of the inventionzillustrated in Figs; 4 and 5,the.shafts"l and '2 are' arranged substantiallyas beforef In thiscase the expanding bands 35, 31', 38, 39 are arranged substantially as in thefirst'form described, to cooperate' with the clutching cylindrical surface lfl of the cup 50; These bands areshown. as being. confined against relative axial movementibythe aid of the integralflange 41 carried: by'the enlarged portion 42? of: the shaft 2 andiby. the ring143- at the right. hand end of: the series of hands; This ring-143 is showns'asrestrained.'againsamovernent towardthe right byaispring: ring extending into "an annularigroovei formed in the 'shaftFJZ; The. pilot clutch: disc 30. and: the pilot clutch: col lar 33 "are arranged substantially as before. 1

InQthis instancethe keying. rings 45, 45*,41 and 48 which connect adjacent Lbands; are 'located within these bands, and. arerespectivelyioverlapped by the. adjacent bands; The keying;.rings carry radial keys, such as 49;.which engage within the gaps inboth of: theadjacent bands; The cup 50 joined to. the driving-shaft I". is-adapted to cooperate with the pilot clutch. disc: facing 3l in order to operate: the ring 43, which actsiin this instance also as the control ring. .This: ring; 43 is keyed,v as-by key EIyinto-thegap of the end band 35. The mode of. operation is substantially identical: as in the first form described.

In the. form of thezinventi'on illustrated in Figs; 6, 7, Sand 9,.the-pinion: 52-is shown'as one: of thetmembers to be. coupled. This pinion 52 is provided-with an elongatedhub 53 forming=an interior cylindrical clutchingsurface' 54.

The other: member totbe coupled. is show-n as a shaft 55 extending-through the hub-53 and supported at its: left' hand' end by a' ball' bearing structure 56." The shaft: 55Jcarries a-band-supporting sleeve 51. This sleeve '5'Iisvjoined to the shaft-55asbya key 58. Interposed between the sleeve Sl and theclutching surface 54 is a series of expandable split bands 59 to 68 inclusive; The manner in which these' band's'are joined together so as to expand, irrespective of the direction of the imposed frictional. torques", is best illustrated in Fig. 9. This. figure illustratesthe bands: 6|, 52,.63andl54; Each of thesezloands may be providedv with. a number. of. radial cutsuor slots; such e568; toilend .greater-resilience ,tothez band's.

Each band has; a; splitifisT defined byrslopingtzwalls intoi-which .is-zadapted .t'o ifit aacorre'spondingidoyeestailing key-extendinglaterally:from the adjacent bandi In this" manner: each band; such as 6| basa -gap; suclras 69: Each band also carries/a key; 'such'as key-10; which fits into the corre sponding gapaini' the adjacent band-L Although not essential; theikeyandthe split on eachz'b'and are 'angularly-:3'spaced about 180+ degrees from each Jothr; Thus; the "gaps; such as 6.9, occur. alternately on opposite sides of. the shaft 5 5::

The widest bandb59 is shownasakeyed .bythe aidtofi key'llato thlfiangfii T2 of -the: sleeve 51. Thez narrowesttbandtfiili has a key 13- extending into a acorrespondingi'slot in; the control ring-14". This controlfring- 14 has athub. l5. freely rotatablez upon at reduced portion "of: the. sleeve 51; The hub in turn is provided witha. SEIiEST'OiSlOtS 1B for vprovidingz'a driving "connection: toi'a pilot clutchzt'discr- 11', which. for this purpose .has;in-. wardlyi'extending?projections 93- entering" slots-J5:

Whenthisv pilot clutch. disc; TI is'rotated by a cooperating: clutching-disc in 50118 or" the. other diriectionirelativelyxto' shaft. 55; the control. ring 14 is correspondingly rotated; and the end:.band 68 is: expanded into contact with" the clutching surface 514.: Thereafterthe. operation is: similar tosthatz described in connection with the other forms: of: the invention.

As ring 14, rotated by clutch disc 11, moves the keyz13' on'band' 68', that' portio-n ofthe :band' is expandedtbetween key 13" and the-split intthe band. The; frictional drag imposed: on: band- 68 whena portionof. it" is thusurged into contact withtheirsurfaces 54;causes a portionof theadja'e' centebandii'lalsosto expand. In this way,",a-portion' ofi'the:exterior-surfaces of each of:the bands 59': ton: is placed inoperative contactwith "the clutchingtsurface-5'4' andfthe -pinion 52 is thereby driven.

T-hevmanner. inwhichrthe pilot clutch-disc :"H is operated upon.- relative angular rotation.- between the pinion 52' and shaft- 55 will now be described: Thus on each sid'e of the'clutch'disc l1 are-apair 'of;cooperating clutch-discs Hand 19; Both of these clutch discs. are provided-with radial extensions, such as '80: and: 81L, 1 engaging in slots 95- in theend of: hub 53 of pinion-v 52-, so *as to -'be. in driving; relation therewith'.-. Theseepro jections and"8 I" ar-e provided with slopingcfaces for: the accommodation-of balls 82-." A series' of compression springs=83, acting; ondisc- 18, serves tourgetheclutch-discs-together. The left hand end of these compression springsis accommodated. in -a collar 8 1; also rotatable with-the hub 53;, asaforf example by' beingfastened: to the hub 53 the aid of-aseriesof screws 85 (Fig 8).

Normally; theepilot clutch discs 11, 18. and.-'|-9 are in; engagement as, indicated in Fig; 6, .being urgedrinto =.that. position-by the .compression springs 83.: However, thereisprovideda control pilot. clutch collar. 8'lislid'ablev over the hub 53'. This clutch collar is provided With a sloping ane nular shoulder adapted to contact the balls 82 when movedtoward' the left; and to separate the disc 18' from the disc" 11'. As before; the clutch controlcollar'llfi' may be operated manually or in anyother'desired manner.

connected; thereis no expansion of the clutch bands 5'9to' 68 inclusive; However; as: soon. as the pilot clutclil'i's allowed to engage; a-restraint is placed upon the end band 08 by this pilot clutch, with the result that at least a portion of this band expands into contact with the'surface 54. Thereafter the subsequent bands in the series are expanded to increase the frictional area of contact. Finally, all of the bands are in driving relation, and as long as the pilot clutch remains in engagement, the bands stay in the expanded position. Just as soon as the clutch is released, however, the reverse process takes place; the end band 68 is permitted to contract and th other bands follow in succession.

In this form of the invention it is seen that no keying rings are needed to impress expanding forces from one band to the next adjacent band. Instead, a portion of each of the bands is used for this purpose, corresponding to the split, such as 69, and the key I0.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 10, 11, 12, and 13, the expanding bands are also formed in such a manner that no intervening keying rings are required. The form of these expanding bands is best illustrated in Fig. 13, which shows a typical band I intermediate the end bands. The band I00 is split at the'ends. These ends are forked, forming the four forks I0 I, I02, I03, and I04. These forks, at eachend, extend in opposite directions respectively, and the opposing forks, such as I02 and I03, are radially displaced.

By placing the bands adjacent each other; as illustrated in Fig. 10, all those forks IM and I03, corresponding to the radially outwardly placed forks, cooperate with each other to transmit thrusts from one band to the next. Similarly, these forks I02 and I04, corresponding to the radially inwardly placed forks, cooperate with each other to transmit thrusts in the opposite directions. Thus forks IOI, I03, etc., which are spaced radially outwardly with respect to the other forks, are in effect connecting keys to form a helical-like structure in combination with the bands, to transmit a thrust in one direction through the bands. Similarly, the'forks I02, I04, etc., which are radially spaced inwardly, are connecting keys to form a similar helical-like structure to transmit thrusts from one band to the other in the opposite direction. In this way, it is immaterial what the direction of relative motion may be between the driving and driven elements.

The end bands are respectively keyed to one of the elements that is driven or driving, and to a control ring for expanding the bands. Thus in Fig. the end band I05 is shown as having its spaced ends I06 and I0! engaged by a key I08 integral with the shaft structure I 09. This shaft structure, as before, may be either the drivingor driven element. The shaft structure I09 is shown as also having the integrally formed flange I I0 and an enlarged portion III upon whichthe expanding bands, such as I00, are placed.

The opposing forks I06 and I0! of the end band I05 are spaced apart and have a radial depth, when they engage key I08, corresponding to the radial depth of the ring I05, because these opposing forks merely provide a key space for the accommodation of the key I08. However, theopposing forks I20 and I2I are at different radii so as to provide appropriate abutments respectively for the correspondingly radially displaced forks on the next adjacent ring I I2.

Similarly, the other end ring I I3 also has its opposing forks I I4 and H5 spaced apart and of the same radial depth as the depth of the band,

in orderto provide a space for the key I I 0. This key H0 is formed on the control ring 1, which is otherwise similar in construction to the control ring I4 of Fig. 6. This control ring III, as before, may be controlled by the aid of a clutch mechanism including the clutch discs 11, I8 and I9, springs 83, and the balls 82.

Relative rotation of the control ring III in either direction will cause an expansion of all of the bands. If the relative rotation is such that the key H6 is moved upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 10, the outer forks IOI, I03, etc., are active to transmit the thrust from one band to the next. On the other hand, should the relative rotation be such as to cause the control ring I I1 to move downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 10, the inner forks I02, I04, etc., form the thrust transmitting elements. In either case, however, the entire angular extent of the bands is effective for expansion.

What is claimed is:

1. In a clutch mechanism, a rotary member having an interior cylindrical surface, a series of bands, arranged coaxially of the surface, each of said bands being split, the ends of the band being spaced apart to form a gap, and each band also having a key, angularly spaced by a substantial portion of the circumference from the split, and adapted to engage in the gap of the adjacent band, a rotary member keyed into the gap of an end band, and means engaging the key of the other end band, for expanding said other end band into contact with said surface.

2. In a clutch mechanism, a rotary member having an interior cylindrical surface, a series of bands, arranged coaxially of the surface, each of said bands being split, the ends of the band being spaced apart to form a gap, and each band also having a key, angularly spaced from the split, and adapted to engage in the gap of the adjacent band, a rotary member keyed into the gap of an end band. and a pilot clutch structure, including a disc operatively engaging the other end band, a disc keyed to the first mentioned rotary'member, and spring means for urging said discs toward each other.

3. In a device of the character described, a series of discontinuous bands having opposed ends forming a gap, said bands having external cylindrical surfaces and extending along a common axis, means forming an internal cylindrical surface for cooperation with said external surfaces, and means forming force exerting couplings respectively between adjacent bands, including, for each such coupling, a projection on a band entering into the gap of one of the adjacent bands, said projection being angularly spaced from the gap in the band which carries the projection, by a substantial portion of the circumference.

4. In a device of'the character described, a series of discontinuous bands having opposed ends forming a gap, said bands having external cylindrical surfaces and extending along a common axis, means forming an internal cylindrical surface for cooperation with said external surfaces, and means forming force exerting couplingsrespectively between adjacent bands, comprising for each coupling, a projection carried by one of the adjacent bands and entering into the gap of the other of said adjacent bands, said projection being angularly spaced from the gap in said one of the adjacent bands by a substantial portion of the circumference.

5. In a device of the character described, a series of discontinuous bands having opposed ends forminga gap, said bands having external cylindrical surfaces and extending along a common axis, means forming an internal cylindrical surface for cooperation with said external surfaces, means forming force exerting couplings respectively between adjacent bands, including, for each such coupling, a projection entering into a gap of one of the adjacent bands, said projection being angularly spaced from the gap in the band which carries the projection, by a substantial portion of the circumference, and means, including a projection entering into the gap of the end band, for urging said band into clutching contact with said internal cylindrical surface.

6. In a device of the character described, a series of discontinuous bands having opposed ends forming a gap, said bands having external cylindrical surfaces and extending along a common axis, means forming an internal cylindrical surface for cooperation With said external surfaces, and means forming force exerting couplings respectively between adjacent bands, said couplings including means carried by each band adapted to cooperate with the gap of the next adjacent band, said means being so spaced with relation to the gap of the respective supporting band that a substantial portion of the circumferential extent of said band lies on each side of said means, whereby the exertion of a torque in either direction by a band operates through a substantial angle of the next adjacent band to the second adjacent band.

7. In a device of the character described, a series of circular segmental bands extending along a common axis, keys carried respectively by the bands, each key being adapted to engage the succeeding band, the point of engagement of one band and the next band being diametrically opposite the point of engagement of said next band and the succeeding band, for the transmission of torque in either direction of rotation, and means including an internal cylindrical surface for cooperation with the external surface of said circular segmental bands.

8. In a mechanism of the character described, means forming an internal cylindrical surface, and a plurality of interconnected open ended bands, the bands each having a key, there being a gap between the open ends, said plurality of bands having exterior surfaces adapted to cooperate With and engage the internal cylindrical surface, adjacent bands being joined by a key extending from one band into the gap ofthe other band, the key of each band having a relatively short angular extent and being intermediate the ends of its supporting band.

9. In a mechanism of the character described, means forming an internal cylindrical surface, and a plurality of interconnected open ended bands, the bands each having a key, there being a gap between the open ends, said plurality of bands having exterior surfaces adapted to cooperate With and engage the internal cylindrical surface, adjacent bands being joined by a key extending from one band into the gap of the other band, the key of each band having a relatively short angular extent and being equidistant from the ends of its supporting band.

STOVER C. WINGER. LESLIE K. LOEHR. 

